Editorial: Spring 2009

In this editorial, I would like to pay tribute to some of the legendary bucks that have graced these pages and fascinated us over the years. But first a little background information.

A couple of years ago, a friend of mine from the United States was hunting in northern Saskatchewan. After sighting in his rifle, he returned to the lodge to relax. Of course, the topic of big whitetails came up and my friend mentioned Big Buck magazine and how he loves looking at the photos I take of deer in their natural habitat. Well, the outfitter grunted and told my friend that those deer are tame and live in a "No Hunting" area. He went on to say that anyone with a cheap camera could photograph them. It seems there is always some individual who's willing to take cheap shots at another person's integrity and success.

The outfitter was right about one thing: my blinds are located in a "No Hunting" area. However, a mere quarter-mile away is one of the most intense hunting areas in the province. As proof, here are some famous bucks we have featured in this magazine: Mandi's Deer, Brow-tine, Itchy, Seven, Old Drop-tine, and Stump Rump, all of which were shot by hunters; Mars was shot by a hunter but survived and later died of old age; and Houdini died in the terrible winter of 1997.

Also on the list are some colossal mule deer that Big Buck has profiled. One was Mr. Majestic, who was also shot by a hunter. Anyway, you get my point that these are indeed wild deer that live on the edge 365 days a year.

This leads up to one of the most legendary bucks of all-time. Bill Longman and I first saw this beautiful whitetail on one of those dog days of August, back in 2003. We spotted the massive buck running with five other bucks. In September, Brian and Roger McMillen from Ponoka, Alberta, were photographing in the area and Brian managed to snap a great photo of this special buck. When the giant ran by them, they looked at each other and someone muttered, "That's one heavy-duty buck!" Hence the name. I also ended up photographing and videotaping Heavy Duty from November to January. I picked up his right shed antler one year after he dropped it. I also captured photos of Heavy Duty in 2004 and 2005 along with more video footage, which is included in Where Legends Roam. Bill Longman found his 2004 left antler as well as his left side from 2005.

In 2006, I spent a great deal of time in my blinds and took a number of pictures in addition to over an hour of excellent footage of Heavy Duty. It was his biggest year for antler growth, and we were ecstatic to find his sheds lying a mere foot apart. We were honoured to have him in our presence, and each year he offered us a piece of himself in the form of his sheds.

In September of 2007, Bill located him nearly three miles from where he usually hung out. One day, when the wind was perfect, Bill stalked Heavy Duty with archery tackle. As the tall grass waved in the wind, the veteran hunter knew the old warrior was near. Fifteen minutes later, out of the corner of his eye, Bill saw a massive form rise above the grass. Bill said he wasn't sure whose eyes were bigger ‚ Heavy Duty's or his. As Bill swung and pulled back his bow, the buck also made his move. The arrow flew its course and took a strip of hair off the legend's back. Mr. Massive escaped once again, but Bill wasn't even upset with the outcome.

I guess you could say we all had a history together. Towards the end of October, Heavy Duty came by my blind and I ended up with front cover photos. Then I turned on my video camera as he made a scrape and started rubbing a tree. With coyotes howling in the background, it turned out to be a night to remember.

Two days after the 2007 hunting season, the legend showed up near one of my blinds. I couldn't believe he had survived another season. Many of his companions from the summer hadn't fared as well. Heavy Duty appeared to be leading a charmed life, and I wondered if he would die of old age like the famous Mars buck. Little did I know, when he walked over the hill late that afternoon, it would be the last time I would ever see him.

Bill and I searched in vain for him, and looked hard for his sheds in the spring of 2008. Alas, with a sick feeling in our stomachs, we just knew something had happened to him after the season. Then our worst suspicions were confirmed when word came out that a poacher had taken him mere days after the season had ended. It was a hard pill to swallow. I know the readers of this magazine are just as upset as the rest of us. Over the years I have received so many letters and phone calls from Florida to the Yukon wondering if Heavy Duty made it through another season. He was a major hit in my DVD, Where Legends Roam. See the legend in all his glory.

Garry Donald